AN UNUSUAL ROOT-TIP FORMATION IN HAIRY ROOT CULTURE OF HYOSCYAMUS-MUTICUS

Hairy root cultures of Hyoscyamus muticus were established using Agrob acterium rhizogenes ATCC 15834. In one out of 8 clones established, an unusual root tip formation was observed after transfer of cultures fr om half-strength Murashige and Skoog (1962) to White's medium (1939). This phenomenon was associated with the production of a fine brownish cell suspension culture. Hairy root development resumed after transfer of the root tips from White to half-strength Murashige and Skoog medi um. After plating the isolated brownish cells on hormone-free half-str ength Murashige and Skoog or White solid medium, callus proliferation was observed, and then redifferentiation of hairy roots occurred. The polymerase chain reaction analysis of the H. muticus hairy root (clone Z2) revealed that only the TL region of the T-DNA was integrated. The growth and the production of five tropane alkaloids by this clone wer e examined.